Tailoring a low young modulus for a beta titanium alloy by combining severe plastic deformation with solution treatment

Abstract

The present paper analyzed the microstructural characteristics and the mechanical properties of a Ti–Nb–Zr–Fe–O alloy of β‐Ti type obtained by combining severe plastic deformation (SPD), for which the total reduction was of εtot = 90%, with two variants of super‐transus solution treatment (ST). The objective was to obtain a low Young’s modulus with sufficient high strength in purpose to use the alloy as a biomaterial for orthopedic implants. The microstructure analysis was conducted through X‐ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and high‐resolution transmission electron microscopy (HRTEM) investigations. The analyzed mechanical properties reveal promising values for yield strength (YS) and ultimate tensile strength (UTS) of about 770 and 1100 MPa, respectively, with a low value of Young’s modulus of about 48–49 GPa. The conclusion is that satisfactory mechanical properties for this type of alloy can be obtained if considering a proper combination of SPD + ST parameters and a suitable content of β‐stabilizing alloying elements, especially the Zr/Nb ratio.